Communities throughout the Baltimore region are scheduled to host events Tuesday to mark the annual National Night Out against crime.

In Waverly, though, the gathering designed to be a deterrent to criminal activity is also being billed as a “vigil” in memory of 3-year-old McKenzie Elliott, the local youngster killed in gunfire Friday while playing on a porch along Old York Road.

The group, Better Waverly, is hosting the event beginning at 6 p.m. at the corner of Gorsuch and Ellerslie avenues. Organizers say the gathering will include speakers, prayers and music in memory of McKenzie.

In Waverly and elsewhere, National Night Out carries a theme of taking action to fight crime. Along with food, refreshments and children’s activities, the night out is designed as an occasion to bring together community residents with law enforcement officers and first responders to promote unity.

Even those who can’t participate in events are encouraged to take part in showing solidarity – by leaving a porch light on through the evening.

In addition to the Waverly event, National Night Out gatherings are scheduled to take place throughout the city, including in Charles Village from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Saints Philip and James Catholic Church, 801 N. Charles Street; at Calvert Street Park at 23rd and Calvert streets and in Mid-Govans at the Dewees Recreation Center, 5100 Ivanhoe Road, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Baltimore County

Events are also scheduled throughout Baltimore County, including a parade and rally beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Towson Marketplace on Putty Hill Avenue, organized by the Towson Area Citizens On Patrol.

In Anne Arundel, members of the police department, county leaders and community groups will host several gatherings, including at the Lloyd Keaser Community Center, 5757 Belle Grove Road in Brooklyn, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; at Crofton Library, Riedel Road, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; at the Lula G. Scott Community Center, 6243 Shady Side Road in Shady Side, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; at Fort George G. Meade from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and at the Villages at Dorchester Community Center in Hanover from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The City of Annapolis Police Department will also host an event 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.¿¿at the Annapolis Walk Community Park, 1701 Belle Drive.

Carroll, Howard and Harford

In Carroll County, the Freedom Are Citizens Council hosts its annual National Night Out celebration from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department carnival grounds off Route 32.

Events in Carroll are also scheduled in Westminster, Manchester and Hampstead.

Howard County also has events planned throughout the county, including at North Laurel Community Center from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and at the Harper’s Choice Village Center in Columbia beginning at 6 p.m.

And in Harford County, events include an event in the Colonial Acres Community in Bel Air, at Colonial Acres Park. The festivities begin at 6 p.m.